WASHINGTON— Today, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Carper (D-Del.) released a statement commending the Administration’s new initiative to ensure American researchers, businesses and entrepreneurs have more access to data generated and stored by the federal government. This Executive Order and complementary initiatives build on Senator Carper and the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee’s efforts to increase transparency and spur innovation by making government data more accessible to the American people.

The Administration’s Executive Order and Open Data Policy proclaims information as a valuable asset to the nation and states that its value increases when made easily accessible to the public. It requires that data generated by the government be made available in open, machine-readable formats, while appropriately safeguarding privacy, confidentiality, and security. In the past, the public release of weather data and the Global Positioning System (GPS) spurred tremendous innovation and economic activity.

“I commend the Administration for continuing its efforts to ensure that the federal government remains open and transparent to the American people,” said Chairman Carper. “As technology continues to change and shape our world, the federal government should not lag behind in sharing the valuable data it possesses, especially when this data has the ability to spur economic growth, inspire creativity among entrepreneurs, educate our students and improve the quality of Americans’ daily lives. Whether it’s helping us map out the quickest route to work on our navigation system or tracking the path of a hurricane, government data combined with private sector innovation touches and enhances nearly everything we do. We must strive to enable the American people to access high-quality government information and services anywhere at any time. Making sure this data is accessible, while adhering to security standards, will make our government more inclusive and provide a valuable return on the taxpayer dollars invested in these programs. I am hopeful that the Administration continues its initiative to ensure that our government is functioning as an open, efficient entity.”